Le Carbet Anchorage
Carbet Bay · Columbus Landing Martinique
14°41.6'N 61°10.8'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding on volcanic ash/sand in 4–10m. The volcanic ash substrate provides surprisingly good anchor grip. A reliable alternative to Saint-Pierre in NW swell conditions. Standard radius for this depth.
About This Anchorage
Le Carbet is historically significant as the site where Christopher Columbus first landed on Martinique in June 1502 — the only visit Columbus made to the island. A monument near the beach commemorates the landing. Today Le Carbet is a pleasant coastal town known for its long beach, fish restaurants, and the remarkable Musée Paul Gauguin — Paul Gauguin lived here briefly in 1887 (before his more famous time in Tahiti), and the museum displays paintings from this early Caribbean period. The anchorage is often preferable to Saint-Pierre when NW groundswells make the roadstead uncomfortable — Le Carbet's slightly different orientation provides better shelter in northerly conditions. The town has restaurants and small shops, and the beach is good for swimming. Gauguin's connection to this corner of Martinique gives it an additional cultural draw.
Protected From
E · SE · NE
Exposed To
NW · W · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand/ash
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral; DAPN regulations apply; maintain clear lane from beach to sea for fishing boats.
Hazards
- !NW and W exposure — can be uncomfortable in significant NW swells; better than Saint-Pierre in this condition but not immune
- !Fishing boat traffic early morning and evening — anchor alarm essential overnight
- !Some rocky patches near shore — maintain safe distance from beach
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit the Musée Paul Gauguin — a surprising and rewarding cultural stop; Gauguin's Caribbean paintings are rarely seen outside this museum
- →Le Carbet is the best alternative to Saint-Pierre when the roadstead is rolly from NW swells
- →The fish restaurants along the waterfront are among the best on the north coast — grilled tuna and dorado
- →Columbus landed here in 1502 — the monument on the beach is a modest but historically resonant marker
- →Three miles south of Saint-Pierre — dinghy or sail north after breakfast for wreck diving, return to Le Carbet for dinner
Facilities
Good fish restaurants along Le Carbet beach waterfront. Musée Paul Gauguin open Tues–Sun. Small provisions shops in town.
Nearest provisions: Le Carbet town (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. Best north coast alternative when Saint-Pierre is uncomfortable. Good cultural stop — Gauguin museum and Columbus landing history.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In north Martinique, anchor drag toward wreck debris, coral, or into an exposed position on the wild north coast carries serious risk. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can sleep soundly while the volcano watches over the bay.
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